Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2009

A report on conservation issues at the property raised by an NGO was received by the World Heritage Centre in July 2008. The evaluation of the information provided raised concerns about actions that could be implemented within the framework of the Plano Director de Ordenamento Territorial (PDTO), which was being examined for approval by the Camara Legislativa do Distrito Federal de Brasil. The NGO considered that these actions could potentially create a visual impact and affect the integrity of the property. Issues included the creation of new urban areas on the Paranoá lake, located on original city plan, the enlargement of the Vila Planalto, the lack of buffer zones with specific regulations, the alterations in commercial areas and the lack of a Master Plan. In September 2008, the World Heritage Centre requested the State Party to provide information on the following matters. Subsequently, the World Heritage Centre requested a state of conservation report from the State Party on the same issues; this report was received on 3 March 2009.

a) The possible approval by the Brazilian Parliament of the Plan for the Territorial Management of the Federal District and its implications on the protected area of the property and its buffer zone

The State Party reports that approval is expected at the end of March 2009 and that following its inception additional measures for the property may be adopted. A Plano de Preservacao do Plano Urbanastico de Brasilia, which covers the property, is currently under preparation by the Secretariat for Urban Development and Environment of the Federal District. This will be the management plan for the property and implementation is foreseen in June 2009. Technical project documents have not yet been submitted to the World Heritage Centre.

b) The state of preparation of the regulations for the buffer zone surrounding the protected area, as requested by the 2001 mission

A preparation study has been prepared by the IPHAN (National authority for cultural heritage) and submitted for consultation to the environmental and urban development agencies for the Federal District. Broad consultation is required to meet the conservation needs of the property in balance with environmental regulations and the economic and social development of the Federal District. While the buffer zone is formally established, urban development and construction regulations beyond the protected area are being controlled legally and administratively by the government of the Federal District in consultation with IPHAN to avoid visual impacts at the property.

The State Party reports that comprehensive economic and social policies are being adopted for the Metropolitan region to address the magnitude of problems derived from such a city. A tram is proposed for Avenue W3 to address public transportation needs. Other projects such as Parque Ensenada and Orla projects are in planning stages and have not been submitted for review or approval. Detailed technical information on the projects has not yet been received.

d) The interventions inside the Plano Piloto, specifically in the superquadras, quadras 700m north and south (settlements and change of use from housing to other activities), urban plans for the surroundings of Lago Paranoa and its public zones, as well as the plans for Vila Planalto

Regulations regarding the occupation of local commerce areas in the superquadras were revised in 2008 in consultation with IPHAN to regulate limits of occupation. The State Party reports that urban plans for the Lago Paranoa will most likely not be implemented given the cost and the focus would be in the Orla Project for the orderly occupation of the zone. Vila Planalto was neglected and has now undergone significant transformations, including creation of new restaurants and bars. Authorities are considering the possibility of allowing use as a leisure and restaurant area, associated to housing, while enforcing measures to limit constructions and irregular buildings.

The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies consider that Brasilia, as a modern city, is constantly under development and in a metropolitan region needs to meet the needs of million of people that both reside there or use its services. There are significant challenges to be met and managing change will require a deep understanding of the values and significance of the place that warranted its inscription on the World Heritage List.

The World Heritage Centre requested in March 2009 additional information as to properly assess any possible impacts of the proposed plans on the property by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies.

Draft Decision

33 COM 7B.133

Brasilia (Brazil) (C 445)

3. Takes note of the response provided by the State Party in regard to current issues of concern and notes progress made in developing the management plan;

4. Encourages the State Party to finalize the delimitation of the buffer zone and submit the proposed new boundaries for the buffer zone, including appropriate cartography and the legal framework, to the World Heritage Centre, for examination by the World Heritage Committee;

5. Takes note of the projects planned for the property and requests the State Party, in accordance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines, to submit to the World Heritage Committee the technical documentation for Orla project, Vila Planalto development, transportation solutions W3 and changes in land use of superquadras for review by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies;

6. Also requests the State Party to provide three printed and electronic copies of the management plan, as soon as possible, for review by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies;

7. Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2010, a detailed report on the state of conservation of the property and on the progress made in the implementation of the above recommendations, for the examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 34th session in 2010.

Draft Decision: 33 COM 7B.133

3. Takes note of the response provided by the State Party in regard to current issues of concern and notes progress made in developing the management plan;

4. Encourages the State Party to finalize the delimitation of the buffer zone and submit the proposed new boundaries for the buffer zone, including appropriate cartography and the legal framework, to the World Heritage Centre, for examination by the World Heritage Committee;

5. Takes note of the projects planned for the property and also requests the State Party, in accordance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines, to submit to the World Heritage Committee the technical documentation for Orla project, Vila Planalto development, transportation solutions W3 and changes in land use of superquadras for review by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies;

6. Further requeststhe State Party to provide three printed and electronic copies of the management plan, as soon as possible, for review by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies;

7. Requests furthermore the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2010, a detailed report on the state of conservation of the property and on the progress made in the implementation of the above recommendations, for the examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 34th session in 2010.

* :
The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).